Pick up your best posting time ⬇️ Is it that easy?
Finding your personalized best times to post on social media is one click away!
Content is king! Yes, it is true, still! However, you can get zero (0) results with good content if you don't know what time to share your Instagram post!
Knowing the prime times on Instagram for 2025 to share your images, reels, stories, etc. is more important than you think, and it is hard to get the real data.
A simple Google search will show you tons of results claiming that they have the best times to post on Instagram! They like giving prime times that are "same for everyone" regardless of differences in location, business, niche, and audience.
On the other hand, Circleboom analyzes thousands of user activities and comes up with "personalized prime times to post on Instagram" and they are regularly updated with the new data. It not only provides them to you, but also practical ways to make your content strategy better.
For example, you can pick up your best times to post on Instagram and create an optimum content sharing calendar with Circleboom's Queue Scheduler ⬇️
This way, you will find and utilize your personalized best times to post on Instagram with Circleboom and make your content strategy more professionalized!
If you aren't interested in your user-specific best times but desire to see generic prime times on Instagram for 2025, Circleboom gives them, too! We detected some patterns after analyzing thousands of Circleboom users and prepared this table:
According to this table, we can say that:
- The best times to post on Instagram on Monday are 11 am and 6 pm (EST).
- The best times to post on Instagram on Tuesday are 2 and 3 pm (EST).
- The best times to post on Instagram on Wednesday are 1 pm and 10 pm (EST).
- The best times to post on Instagram on Thursday are 12 pm and 7 pm (EST).
- The best times to post on Instagram on Friday are 9 am and 3 pm (EST).
- The best times to post on Instagram on Saturday are 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm (EST).
- The best times to post on Instagram on Sunday are 11 am and 6 pm (EST).
Are you satisfied? If there are "best times", so there should be "worst times" to post on Instagram!
Let's discover the best and worst times to post on Instagram by location, business, niche, etc!
What are the best and worst times for Instagram Reels?
These are the best and worst times to post Instagram Reels:
Monday
✅ Best: 11 AM, 6 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 11 PM, 4–5 PM
Tuesday
✅ Best: 2 PM, 3 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 11 PM, 4–5 PM
Wednesday
✅ Best: 1 PM, 10 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 11 PM, 4–5 PM
Thursday
✅ Best: 12 PM, 7 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 11 PM, 4–5 PM
Friday
✅ Best: 9 AM, 3 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 11 PM, 4–5 PM
Saturday
✅ Best: 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 9 AM, After 11 PM
Sunday
✅ Best: 11 AM, 6 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 11 PM, 3–5 PM
What are the best and worst times for Instagram Stories?
Find out the best and worst times to post Instagram Stories here:
Monday
✅ Best: 11 AM, 6 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 10:30 PM, 4–5 PM
Tuesday
✅ Best: 2 PM, 3 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 10:30 PM, 4–5 PM
Wednesday
✅ Best: 1 PM, 10 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 10:30 PM, 4–5 PM
Thursday
✅ Best: 12 PM, 7 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 10:30 PM, 4–5 PM
Friday
✅ Best: 9 AM, 3 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 10:30 PM, 4–5 PM
Saturday
✅ Best: 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM
🚫 Worst: Before 9 AM, After 10:30 PM
Sunday
✅ Best: 11 AM, 6 PM
- 🚫 Worst: Before 8 AM, After 10:30 PM, 3–5 PM
The best and worst days/times to post on Instagram for Non-profit organizations
Non-profit organizations have flocked to social media platforms in droves. These platforms can quickly raise awareness and recruit volunteers to help with social work. In this situation, weekdays and afternoons are the optimum times to increase involvement.
Best days: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Best times: 9 am to 8 pm
Worst days: Saturday and Sunday
Worst times: 12 pm and 12 am
The best and worst days/times to post on Instagram for media
The media industry tries to get our attention through social media channels when we begin to get bored with our businesses. Why? Because we check our phones more frequently at those times!
Best days: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Best times: 8 am to 4 pm
Worst days: Saturday and Sunday
Worst times: 10 pm to 6 am
The best and worst days/times to post on Instagram for education-related businesses
To get people interested in your content, highlight activities at the institute, campus life, events, workshops, etc. A sizable number of people use the internet late at night.
Best days: Friday and Saturday
Best times: 9 am to 8 pm
Worst days: Sunday and Monday
Worst times: 1 am to 7 am
The best and worst days/times to post on Instagram for consumer products and services
Instagram's visual nature makes it ideal for showcasing and selling practically any product. Influencer marketing, organic efforts, and paid promotions have already helped many firms establish their presence and generate revenue.
Best days: Monday to Friday (Weekdays)
Best times: 10 am to 5 pm
Worst days: Sunday
Worst times: 11 pm to 6 am
You have learned the best and worst times of the week for businesses. Is that enough? No, it is not!
Location is also an important factor in determining the best and worst times for Instagram likes, comments, and other engagement styles.
The best and worst times to post on Instagram USA
People in the USA check their Instagram feeds once they wake up. So, targeting mornings can be effective to get better results on Instagram.
Best days: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Best times: 8 am to 3 pm (CDT)
Worst days: Saturday and Sunday
Worst times: 6 pm to 6 am
The best and worst times to post on Instagram in Europe
If you are in Europe, you need to consider these before sharing content on Instagram:
Best days: Tuesday and Wednesday
Best times: 10 am to 1 pm
Worst days: Saturday and Sunday
Worst times: 8 pm to 8 am
The best and worst times to post on Instagram in California
The best and worst days and intervals to post on Instagram if you are in California:
Best days: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Best times: 12 am to 6 am
Worst days: Friday and Saturday
Worst times: 6 pm to 6 am
The best and worst times to post on Instagram in New York
The best and worst days and times to post on Instagram if you are in New York:
Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Best times: 12 pm (EST)
Worst days: Sunday
Worst times: 10 am to 10 pm
The best and worst times to post on Instagram in the UK
The best and worst days and times to post on Instagram if you are in the UK:
Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Best times: 2 pm to 4 pm
Worst days: Sunday and Monday
Worst times: 10 am to 10 pm
The best and worst times to post on Instagram in Pacific Time (PST)
The best and worst days and times to post on Instagram if you are in the Pacific Time (PST):
Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Best times: 8 am to 12 pm
Worst days: Saturday
Worst times: 8 pm to 6 am
The best and worst times to post on Instagram on Weekends
Though it is not smart to post on Instagram on weekends, you can choose Sunday, 7 pm to 12 pm if you have to.
Most Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Prime Times
Let's answer these questions from users:
Does the best time vary by day of the week?
Yes. Tuesday to Thursday often perform better, while Sundays tend to be quieter.
How does the optimal time change by time zone or location?
You should post when your audience is awake and active. Always adjust for their local time zone, not yours.
Does your niche affect the best posting time?
Definitely. Fitness content works well in the early morning, while entertainment does better in the evening.
How do audience behaviors impact prime time on IG?
Your audience's daily habits—work, school, sleep—determine when they scroll. Track when they’re most active.
Do Instagram’s algorithm changes affect the timing strategy?
Yes. The algorithm favors engagement shortly after posting, so timing can directly impact reach.
How do Reels, Stories, and regular posts differ in ideal posting times?
Reels can perform better in the evening; Stories are good for morning routines; regular posts vary by niche.
What’s the worst time to post on Instagram?
Late night (after 10 PM) or mid-workday (12–3 PM) usually sees lower engagement unless it fits your audience.
How does Instagram Insights help identify your own optimal posting time?
It shows when your followers are most active by day and hour. Use it to schedule smarter.
📊 Interesting Facts
- Reels may go viral even 48 hours after posting—so timing isn’t everything, but it helps.
- Instagram usage peaks mid-week and during lunch/dinner breaks.
- Location and niche significantly influence optimal timing.
🧠 User Needs Answered
“I want more likes and engagement.” → Post when your audience is online and engaged.
“I don’t know when my audience is online.” → Use Instagram Insights or a scheduling tool. ➡️ Circleboom's Instagram Post Scheduler
“I want more reach.” → Consistent timing + good content = higher reach.
“I’m confused by advice.” → Test your own times; don’t rely solely on global averages.
“I’m in a niche.” → Your niche affects scroll habits. Study your competitors’ timing.
“I don’t want to post randomly.” → Plan posts using a calendar and insights. ➡️Circleboom's Instagram Post Planner
📈 Case Study: Sarah's Simple Switch That Skyrocketed Her Instagram Reach
Sarah is a 28-year-old wellness content creator based in Austin, Texas. Her Instagram page, @MindfulWithSarah, features yoga tips, green smoothie recipes, and cozy morning routines. With around 25,000 followers, she had a loyal community—but her reach had been plateauing for months.
“I was stuck. My posts were doing okay—but never great,” Sarah recalled. “No matter how hard I worked on my content, it just wasn’t getting in front of enough people.”
Like many creators, Sarah posted when it was most convenient for her—usually around 2:00 or 3:00 PM, after her editing sessions and gym time. It seemed like a reasonable time to share, right? People take breaks in the afternoon. But something felt off.
That’s when she decided to dig into her Instagram Insights.
👀 What She Found in the Data
Under the “Followers” tab, Sarah noticed a trend:
Her audience activity peaked between 7:00 and 9:00 AM, especially on weekdays.
“I realized my audience was mostly women in their mid-20s to early 40s, and they were probably checking Instagram during breakfast, before work, or on their commute,” Sarah explained. “By 2 PM, they were deep into their day.”
So, Sarah decided to experiment.
🔁 The A/B Test: Afternoon vs. Morning
For the next month, she kept her usual routine and posted daily at 2:00 PM. Her average reach per post was about 8,500. The engagement rate hovered around 4%.
In the following month, she switched all posts to 7:30 AM sharp. Same content style. Same hashtags. The only change? Timing.
The result was surprising.
Her average reach soared to 11,950 per post—a 40% increase.
Saves and shares went up by 33%, and her follower growth rate doubled.
💡 Key Takeaway: Timing Isn’t Just a Detail—It’s Strategy
Sarah didn’t change her content. She didn’t buy ads. She just aligned her posting time with her audience’s habits.
“It was such a simple shift. I started thinking of my posts like a morning coffee—something people could start their day with. And it worked.”
My Final Words
Choosing the right time to post on Instagram is more than just a guessing game—it’s a strategic decision that can significantly impact your reach and engagement. Whether you're sharing Reels or Stories, timing matters because it determines when your content enters your audience’s feed and how likely they are to engage with it. By aligning your posts with peak activity hours, you increase the chances of your content being seen, liked, shared, and saved.
As we’ve seen, Instagram Reels tend to perform best during late mornings and early evenings, with optimal times varying slightly across the week. On the other hand, Stories thrive when posted during natural “check-in” times—such as right after waking up, during lunch breaks, or just before bed. But just as there are golden hours, there are also dead zones: posting too early in the morning, during afternoon slumps, or late at night can bury your content and hurt performance. These are the worst times when users are least active or distracted by other parts of their day.
The key takeaway? Don’t post blindly. Use tools like Instagram Insights to study your own audience’s behavior and tailor your timing accordingly. Consider scheduling apps like Circleboom Publish to hit those sweet spots even when you’re busy. And don’t be afraid to test—what works for a fitness creator may not work for a travel blogger. Mastering the timing of your Reels and Stories can be the difference between a post that flops and one that flies.
